Thursday, March 17, 2011

Stouffer's Sautés for Two review and BlogHer giveaway!

When there's a rainstorm in Los Angeles the city can basically shut down – a 20 minute drive can take over an hour.

So when I heard on the news last Friday that a late winter storm was coming our way and saw the weather looking like this in afternoon, I told my husband that instead of doing Friday night date a restaurant like planned, we should a fun date night at home and make an ordinary night a little more fun!(For those of not from LA, this is ominous weather in our city).

I decided this would be a great night to try a new Stouffer’s Saute for Two. It’s a great gourmet meal for a couple – perfect for after a long week where you don’t have the energy to cook but still want a delicious meal.The whole entree comes in a one bag. So simple!

To set the mood for our romantic date night at home, I set the table with our crystal wine glasses and silver chargers.(You know, the stuff you get for wedding, but don’t use too much)

Then I decanted a bottle of our favorite cabernet sauvignon.

Then I put a Steak Gorgonzola Stouffer's Sauté on the stove. It cooked in less than 15 minutes and was so easy to make without over or under cooking it. Even a culinary novice like me couldn’t screw this up. Seriously.

It was perfectly portioned for two people.

We loved every bite! The steak, pasta, and sun-dried tomato were a perfect combo. And the creamy cheese sauce was delicious. (Warning: this was not a low calorie dinner, but it was worth it!)

We lingered at the dining room table, taking and listing to the rain fall outside, and being cozy – making an ordinary night at home extraordinary. I can’t wait to do it again!

So tell me, how do you make an ordinary night with your significant other extraordinary?

Leave me a comment to let me know and you could win a $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of Blogher !

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:a) Leave me a comment answering the question aboveb) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this postc) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this postd) Visit the official rules for additional forms of entry.

The fine print:- No duplicate comments- The giveaway runs from 3/17/11 - 4/11/11- This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.- Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.- You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.- The official rules: Visit the Official Rules- The official site: Visit the Official site- Also visit BlogHer’s Promotions & Prizes page for more chances to win! Visit the promotions & Prizes section

Usually our ordinary nights are the most extraordinary because there is no pressure! We put on our pajamas, watch movies, drink some wine (beer for him), and make dinner together! That's a perfect night...really, that's every night in our house!

Ordinary nights are extraordinary when you're aware of what's actually happening. Children are growing in front of you, your husband and you are growing old together - it's everything you've ever wanted - happening every day!

We re-visit places where we had great dates and talk about what we did there and what we talked about...and laugh and giggle and talk about the future and where we've come and where we're going. It's almost always a hilarious yet romantic trip down memory lane. :)

To make an ordinary night extraordinary, I usually will prepare a fancy dessert for a sweet ending. With the easy of Stouffer's help on dinner, I can have more time to make dessert and still have time to share with my loved ones. I'm love it! Thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!

While we looove to go out for "date night" dinner and a movie - some of my favorite nights are when we pick out a good bottle of pinot noir and make dinner together, then after dinner pile on the couch with the two dogs and watch a movie from redbox!!

Creating something new in the kitchen together is a fun way to spend an otherwise boring evening. We'll do 'Top Chef'-like challenge in that we'll specify a few ingredients that must be used, set a time limit, and then let our creativity guide us to a dish.

I make an ordinary night with my husband extraordinary be making up a nice basket of foods. Could be as simple as sandwiches and chips and drinks. (HOT chocolate in winter) Then even in the winter when we have a couple feet of snow we go to a picnic table that overlooks the river and forest and eat! All bundled up. It is really fun!

When we have a bit of extra time, I like to make a several course meal, and I let him pick whatever movie he wants to see. It's a treat, because I am usually the one dictating what the evening entertainment is! LOL. And I like to end the evening with a nice desert!

Girlfriend, you have so many blogs! Of course I didn't know about this one, but love the idea of separating from the rest.

Anyway, I want to enter. :)

Hmmm... ordinary to extraordinary?Well, a little wine always helps. But I usually make something homemade in the midst of frozen/canned/refrigerated. Like, I'd probably make a fun veggie saute or veggie skewer with that meal. Something to add a little extra zing. I think the meal you tried would go great with asparagus (with butter, salt, pepper).

Hope you're loving your ski trip. Excited to read about it when you return.

For special times, I love dining with candle light and a nice linen table cloth...making some of my husbands favorite foods. It is also just as special, being alone and curling up on the couch together to watch a movie...with popcorn!

Right now, our extraordinary nights together consist of putting away the law school books! Just having an evening to spend together without my husband studying or stressing about studying is miraculous! :)

Both of us are a bit of heath freaks, especially when it comes to food, so we spend quality time by cooking together. Our work hours are often long and unpredictable, but we still make it a point to cook together, especially on weekends, when we often prepare our meals for the week.

My older kids are living with us temporarily (ages 30 and 24) and let me tell you, they are worse for romance than little ones cause they stay up and are not as easily entertained by a stupid dvd. So I tell them to beat it, light candles and open a bottle of our favorite wine.

I love to make a special dessert to follow dinner and pick foods I know we both love. Then spend the meal together, sharing our days or plans for the rest of the evening. Just being together makes it more special to me.b (dot) edge315 (at) gmail (dot) com

Since my SO lives in another state, we don't see each other that often. This means ANY time together is a bit extraordinary and special! We generally try to go to one of our favorite mexican restaurants when he's in town, and no cell phones, just the two of us and lots of laughter!

Not scarfing our dinners down and just relaxing and enjoying the moment, then cuddling on the couch to watch a movie. Things are so busy that it is nice to just have a night to NOT be busy.kwolfrum at ymail dot com.

Since usually I cook, I have him cook for me instead. He will cook & present the food restaurant-style. We then eat by candle light. I'll have wine & he has sparkling cider. Then we snuggle on the couch & watch a movie. Our dog alternates between sitting on our laps or humping our legs =P .

My fiance and I recently moved in together (after four LONG years of being long-distance) so honestly every night we are together is special for us!! However, some candles and a nice home-cooked meal never hurts either... !

Not too many special dinners with just my hubby. I try to make it special by setting a nice table and having dinner ready for him when he gets home. With 3 small kids, it's about the best I can do right now.chipdip2010(at)hotmail(dot)com

A special night is when we can crawl in bed and snuggle before 11pm and have some alone time. Doesn't matter if we are watching a movie or just talking. Those moments together make it special.pddispatch911@yahoo.com

We enjoy going on a walk most nights (even if it is just around the block). Our dog loves the exercise and we love the time to talk to each other and connect w/out distractions. On the weekends we like to cook together!